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DUBAI: For Father Iyad Ghanem, a Catholic priest in the Syriac Archdiocese of Homs and Hama, two of Syria's four largest cities, this Christmas represents both a new beginning and the end of a dark chapter in history of Syria.

Following the dramatic developments that led to the overthrow of longtime Syrian President Bashar Assad on December 8, the country's Christians are celebrating Christmas for the first time under the transitional government of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).

HTS, a rebel group led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Syria's de facto leader, has sought to reassure minority communities, including Kurds, Alawites and Shiites, while distancing itself from its hardline Islamist roots. For many Christians, the end of the Assad era is a real Christmas present.

Our churches are at peace and we, as clergy, are free to lead our masses. However, it is too early for the parish to comment on HTS. The atmosphere remains uncertain and much remains to be played out, Father Iyad told Arab News.

Our country and our community have endured so much over the past 13 years. At the dawn of this new era, we must free ourselves from fear, rediscover the voices that have remained silent for so long, and eliminate radicalism in all its forms. This is all uncharted territory and we are still adjusting.

Syria is part of a region often considered the birthplace of Christianity, making it one of the first places in the world to host a Christian community. In the town of Maaloula, a handful of villages still speak Aramaic, the ancient dialect of Christ.

Syria's Christian population, once more than a million, has fallen to just 3% due to the protracted war that began in 2011 and the rise of ISIS in 2014. Violence and persecution have left them vulnerable, forcing them to to a large-scale exodus towards Western countries.

Rassem Sairafi, a Christian from Homs, said he is optimistic about Syria's future and hopes for a democratic and free nation.

Many educated Syrians return from abroad. If they are included in the new government, I think we will be in good hands, he told Arab News.

Historically, Syria's Sunni majority has been moderate. It was only during the war that began in 2011 that sectarianism took root. Hopefully we can put this behind us and ensure that we do not replace one dictatorship with another.

The Assad regime has left Syria in ruins. Its legacy is clearly visible in decimated infrastructure, a deeply entrenched corrupt political system and a bankrupt economy that has pushed 90 percent of the population below the poverty line.

In a December 12 report for US public broadcaster PBS, correspondent Simona Foltyn said: The streets are getting busier by the day and stores and government institutions are slowly returning to work.

The opposition took control of government institutions in the capital, Damascus, and began to govern the country, building on its experience in Idlib. But administering an entire country, as opposed to a province, is another matter entirely, and it remains to be seen how easily this can be extended.

She added: Besides the joy and relief, the mundane but vital work of keeping a country running is job number one for many.

With the fall of Assad, Christians face additional uncertainty as a religious minority about their fate under the country's new leaders. They feel that their future depends on the delicate balance of a new era and a new constitution.

The Christian community, like all Syrians, has endured severe hardship under Assad's rule and therefore views the new government with a mixture of caution and optimism.

We're nervous because we're not sure. We don't know what the future holds, said Rawaa, a Christian from Damascus. But we know the story of HTS. While their recent legislative decisions are heartening, we remain eager to see whether they will deliver on these commitments over time.

Although he has been hailed as the liberators of Syria and Al-Shara has recently attempted to rebrand itself, abandoning its military identity as Abu Mohamad Al-Jolani to adopt the image of a man of The country's state, stability and economic recovery remain precarious.

HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the UN, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, among others, because it began as a splinter group from Al-Qaeda, from which it split in 2016.

Once confined to the crowded and impoverished Idlib region in the country's northwest, but now acting as a self-imposed interim government in Damascus, HTS faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by years of corruption and of mismanagement under Assad.

In an effort to avoid chaos, Al-Sharaa took steps to restore basic services in some areas, called for the preservation of state institutions and promoted the vision of an inclusive society and a peaceful transition to new governance.

Senior leaders of the transitional government continue to meet with representatives of various religious communities, emphasizing their commitment to protecting minority rights as part of broader efforts to reassure both Syrians and the international community.

Both Father Iyad and Rawaa expressed their aversion to using the term minority to describe their community, insisting that they are an integral part of the fabric of Syria and are one of the essential elements that define the country.

This year, in various parts of the country, only churches adorned their doors and squares with Christmas decorations, a gesture that Rawaa interprets as a sign of hope for the future. However, the celebrations remain subdued. Many, including Rawaas's family and friends, opt for private meetings.

My neighborhood hasn't put up Christmas decorations since the war started 13 years ago, and this year is no different, Rawaa told Arab News.

But it’s not out of fear of HRT. This is because of the shortages we face and the hardships we endure. We lack electricity, fuel and financial resources. The population is in difficulty and the festive spirit is difficult to find in such conditions.

Our celebrations will take place at home, with our close family and friends, Rawaa said. It's a new experience for us. Although there has been no persecution by HTS, we proceed with caution. The transitional government has promised to launch awareness campaigns to combat radicalism if necessary. Time will tell if they keep that promise.

Mary Bitar, a Christian from Damascus, saw reason for optimism amid the difficulties leading up to Christmas.

People are outside. No one is harassed. We may be short of Christmas lights because of electricity shortages, but our hearts are full and we remain hopeful, she said.

In his comments, Father Iyad stressed that isolated acts of terrorism must be combatted before they escalate, citing a recent incident in Hama where armed men desecrated a Christian cemetery and burned crosses in town squares. the city.

Small factions that align with HTS must be controlled, he told Arab News. We must stop those who seek to sow chaos. We will not tolerate any radicalized behavior.

Despite these challenges, Father Iyad remains faithful to his message of hope. My wish is unity, fair legislation that grants equal rights to all Syrians. A peaceful and beautiful Syria for all.